Realism In AI

For once, it doesn’t look fake.

November 02, 2025

In partnership with

Inside the Contemporary Fashion Frame 📸

Fashion Image 1Fashion Image 2Fashion Image 3

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about contemporary fashion?

Bold? Striking? Fierce?

Whatever it is, it’s sharp, expressive, and just a little bit unpredictable. What you want to do is capture that very feeling in a photoshoot. The only difference is, there’s no camera this time. Only a prompt.

Master Prompt

Generate a striking fashion editorial photograph with strong conceptual impact and visual distinction. Focus on capturing a model in a powerful pose or moment that showcases both their features and the styling elements (clothing, accessories, makeup) in a compelling context. Utilize bold lighting techniques (e.g., hard shadow play, colored gels, dramatic high-key or low-key setups) and innovative composition (e.g., unconventional cropping, extreme perspectives, symmetry/asymmetry) to create a distinctive mood. Incorporate environmental elements or props that enhance the narrative. The final image should balance artistic expression with commercial appeal, conveying a specific attitude, concept, or emotional tone while maintaining the fashion focus.

How to Modify It

  • Specify the styling: Describe the clothing exactly how you want it to translate. Think of the fabric, color, fit, and accessory details, like the way a leather trench coat behaves differently from silk or denim.
  • Refine the model’s features and pose: Be clear about what you want to capture. Describe their stance, the direction they’re facing, and the small movements that make the shot. A straight-on look feels confident, while a slight turn or lowered chin changes the attitude.
  • Describe makeup and hair with care: Think of how these choices shape the shot. Glossed lips, slick hair, or glittered lids bring intensity, while soft curls and natural tones give a quieter edge. Remember that texture adds to the overall mood.
  • Direct the lighting setup: Explain where the light comes from and what it hits. Side lighting adds structure, top lighting creates pressure, and diffused light softens everything. Gels can shift the mood with subtle color changes.
  • Add props or setting: Anchor the shot in a place. A chair, mirror, or half-open curtain gives the model something to interact with and pulls the viewer into the moment.
  • Reference a brand or publication: Mentioning a reference helps AI catch the tone much faster. Mugler feels sculptural and fierce, while Acne Studios sits more casual and effortless.
  • Shape composition with precision: Decide how much the viewer sees. A close crop draws you in, while a wide frame makes the model part of the space. Both tell the story differently.

The image only works when everything connects. Keep your direction clear, then let the details speak for themselves.

Examples

Example 1: SikStudios Runner

Generate a stylized portrait of a Black man captured from the chest up, set against a glowing deep red background. The image is tightly framed in vertical format, emphasizing his upper torso, neck, and face in moody, directional light. He wears a torn black tank top with rugged edges and a marathon race bib pinned to the front reading "69" with the word "SikStudios" printed boldly underneath. Around his neck hangs a thin silver chain. His hair is styled in tight braids, and he wears futuristic wraparound sunglasses in metallic blue with the word "SikStudios" engraved across the lens, subtly visible in the reflections. The lighting is soft but focused, casting strong shadow contours along his collarbone and highlighting the reflective elements of both glasses and sweat on his skin. The mood is intense and fashion-driven, combining raw athleticism with streetwear refinement. Resolution 1792x1024.

The model in this image just finished a run and you can feel that. It’s the details like sweat droplets on the skin that create the mood you’re giving off.

Example 2: Road Runner

Generate a vertical-format, side-profile flash photograph capturing a Black male runner sprinting down a sunlit urban street from an elevated angle. The camera looks slightly down at the scene, placing the runner in the center-right of the frame, mid-stride with one leg extended behind and arms pumping forward. He wears a reflective silver windbreaker, black running shorts, white socks, and sleek performance shoes. A pair of dark sunglasses adds attitude and edge to his motion. The runner is in motion blur, especially on limbs and head, with only parts of the torso and upper back lightly frozen by a directional rear-curtain sync flash. His movement arcs forward across the frame, and the reflective jacket catches intense flashes of light, bouncing subtle highlights across the scene. Below the asphalt road, a strip of green grass borders the street at the bottom edge of the image, adding a clean contrast to the composition. The elevated camera position creates depth as the runner cuts across the frame from left to right, motion trailing behind. Warm natural light streaks or golden flares may bleed across the top of the image. Resolution 1792x1024.

This image feels like someone having their routine nighttime sprint. Simple detail like the hint of grass are what build the environment for a more realistic feel.

Example 3: Track Athlete

Generate a flash-illuminated close-up photograph capturing the feet of a Black female track runner launching from the starting blocks at night. The image is taken from a low, side angle, tightly framed at ground level, with her silver sprinting spikes clearly visible — one foot pushing forcefully into the rear block, the other caught mid-air in dramatic motion. She wears white ankle-high performance socks, and her muscular calves are frozen at the peak of exertion. The flash lighting from the front-left casts sharp highlights on her skin and the metallic texture of the shoes, while the surrounding track surface — deep blue and textured — catches scattered moisture droplets that shimmer in the light. The starting blocks behind her blur slightly, and her trailing leg dissolves into motion streaks, captured using a slow shutter speed with rear-curtain sync to emphasize explosive movement. The background is minimal and moody, with streaks of stadium light stretching diagonally behind her. The overall tone is sleek and intense, centered on power, speed, and motion control. Resolution 1792x1024.

By zooming in on the start instead of the finish, this shot turns a split second into an intense moment. You can almost feel the anticipation of the race-start.

 

Life Caught Between Moments 🎭

Lifestyle 1Lifestyle 2Lifestyle 3

Alright, we’ve made it to the lifestyle and emotional portrait section, the part where feeling takes the lead.

This is where you learn how to write prompts that pull real emotion out of AI. We’re finding the space between what we direct and what actually feels natural. Because the best lifestyle shots are the ones that feel like they could be a memory.

Now, keep in mind, lifestyle prompts can go anywhere, as long as they capture people showing something real. It could be shock, stillness, chaos, or heartbreak. What matters is that the emotion feels lived, not staged.

Master Prompt

Generate an evocative lifestyle portrait that captures an authentic emotional moment or state within a visually compelling environment. Focus on portraying the subject in a way that reveals character, mood, or narrative through their expression, posture, and interaction with their surroundings. Utilize naturalistic lighting approaches (e.g., window light, ambient environmental lighting, soft golden hour) or stylized lighting that enhances the emotional tone. Incorporate environmental details that contribute to storytelling and provide context. The final image should feel intimate yet visually striking—balancing raw emotional authenticity with aesthetic sophistication through thoughtful composition, color treatment, and atmospheric elements.

How to Modify It

  • Define the emotion: soft, joyful, reflective, or heavy.
  • Describe the space: place changes how the moment lands.
  • Direct the light: curtains for soft; lamp for contrast.
  • Add meaningful details: only items with narrative value.
  • Refine body language: small gestures over big reactions.
  • Guide the color: warm comforts; cool distances.
  • Build atmosphere: rain, fog, reflections.

Examples

Example 1: Tearful Phone Call

A stylized vertical photo of a Black woman crying mid-call in a white wicker chair. She wears a glossy pink satin robe with a vintage brooch and soft, wavy hair. A red phone cord wraps around her hand as she presses a tissue to her cheek, eyes shimmering with green eyeshadow. A bright blue tissue box labeled “SikStudios” rests on her lap beside a small table with flowers and the phone base. The lavender background and glossy textures create a nostalgic, cinematic 1980s tone with film grain, scratches, and bloom. Resolution 1080x1350.

This is real drama! Intentionally exaggerated yet believable.

Example 2: Water Impact

A hyperrealistic flash photo of a young man mid-reaction as a wave hits his face. Droplets freeze midair, splashing across his tense skin. His eyes shut, brows drawn, and a turquoise necklace clings to his wet chest. The flash captures every droplet sharply against a pale wall and soft blue sea backdrop. Visible grain, scratches, and lens dust give it an analog, tactile feel. Resolution 1792x1024.

Ouch!

Example 3: Boxing Aftermath

A close-up flash portrait of a tanned male model wearing a worn high-impact helmet. His intense blue eyes stare through a half-open visor, skin showing fine scratches and sweat. A red carabiner hangs from the chin strap. The flash highlights facial texture and polished metal surfaces against a dark, fading background. Film grain, dust, and scratches add raw, cinematic realism. Resolution 1792x1024.

Magnetic eyes, tension held in a single moment.

 

Choose the Right AI Tools

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Tools of the Trade 🛠️

Alright, let’s talk about what takes these images from being cool stills to actually having organic movement. Using the right tools will absolutely elevate your images beyond your wildest imagination. Here are three for starters:

1. Midjourney

Midjourney Screenshot

It’s still the best for creating the most realistic images. It gives you control over lens type, lighting setup, depth of field, and analog texture, all of which amplify the quality of your image, making it as realistic as possible.

Try this prompt on for size. It focuses on the real physics of the moment like the water splash, car motion, or the camera flash. The camera language tells Midjourney to render it photographically rather than illustratively. 

/imagine prompt: a black athlete mid-sprint on a rain-soaked city street, backlit by a glowing amber streetlight, captured with a 35mm lens, water droplets frozen midair, cinematic lighting, slight motion blur on limbs, realistic shadows, rich contrast, fine film grain, --ar 3:2 --v 6 --style raw --q 2 --s 250

Try Midjourney here 👉 https://www.midjourney.com

If you’re not familiar with how to use it, check out this tutorial 👇

Midjourney Tutorial

2. Runway

Runway Screenshot

Runway turns your still images into short video clips with smooth, realistic motion. With it, you can add subtle fabric shifts, hair movement, or small camera pans that make your image feel filmed.

It works best when you already have a strong image from Midjourney. Once you upload your image, give Runway clear direction on what moves where and what stays still. For fashion, you might make the lighting pulse slightly or the subject’s pose shift just enough to look natural. For lifestyle, it could be a slow hand gesture, a passing shadow, or the flicker of sunlight across skin.

The prompt isolates micro-movements that mimic how cameras and people behave.

Prompt: Animate a mid-shot fashion portrait of a model sitting in a bright studio, wearing a satin robe. Add soft motion to the robe fabric, a gentle head tilt, and a slight handheld camera movement. Keep the overall pace slow and steady, like a photographer capturing a live pose.

Try Runway here 👉 https://runwayml.com/

Not sure how it works? Check out this tutorial 👇

Runway Tutorial

3. Sora

Sora Screenshot

Sora takes a single frame and turns it into something that looks like it came from a film set. Whether it’s an athlete mid-sprint, a model walking through smoke, or someone lost in a quiet moment, this is where stills start to feel like scenes.

Be specific about what’s happening and how it’s shot. Sora thrives on specificity, so use that to your advantage. 

Prompt: A slow-motion video of a vintage Porsche 911 drifting across a dusty desert curve. The camera tracks from a low rear angle, dust swirling in the air, sunlight cutting through haze. The wheels spin, dirt flies, and the car tilts slightly as it exits the frame. Shot on a 50mm lens, golden hour light, handheld motion with natural shake, high dynamic range.

Try Sora 2 here 👉 https://surl.lt/lhjale

Need some guidance? Check out this video 👇

Sora Tutorial

Alright, that’s a wrap. We’ve covered how AI can direct like a real camera, from action to fashion to emotion, all through words that guide the shot.

Midjourney, Runway, and Sora bring those ideas to life. One builds the frame, one gives it flow, and one turns it into a full scene.

Keep testing, keep adjusting, keep creating. The next edition dives deeper into building visual language that looks designed.

Until next time!